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BMO Announces $2M Donation for Inner City Health Research

St. Michael's Hospital received a $2M donation by BMO Financial Group for the creation of a new research unit to help Toronto's vulnerable and inner city populations.

Toronto, May 21, 2008

Toronto's vulnerable and inner city populations were lent a helping hand May 21 thanks to a donation by BMO Financial Group, earmarked for a new research unit to help those in need in the community.

"Almost a decade ago, we helped the hospital create the Centre for Research on Inner City Health (CRICH). Since then, we watched with pride as CRICH tackled the tough issues that confront our inner city population," BMO Financial Group president and CEO and Hospital board chair Bill Downe said during an afternoon announcement. "The work of (these) researchers...is helping all of you - all you urban angels - do your jobs better and provide better care to our most vulnerable populations."

The donation, presented at a 10-year anniversary celebration of the coming together of St. Michael's Hospital and the Wellesley Central Hospital, will create the BMO Vulnerable Populations Unit within the Centre for Research on Inner City Health in the new Keenan Research Centre in the Li Ka Shing Knowledge Institute of St. Michael's Hospital.

"This leading centre will conduct innovative research to help those who need it most in our community," Hospital president and CEO Jeff Lozon said. "This means hope for people like those living on our streets, mothers at risk, and new immigrants who are desperately trying to build a new life."